Lakeside Academy

We would highly recommend Lakeside Academy for any young man struggling with substance abuse and or depression and anxiety.
The staff, care teams and great group of young men in the program made us feel a part of their "family" as early as the day of admission for our Son. Kind, considerate, respectful, compassionate, knowledgeable staff are there to greet you and calm the fears of placing your Son into their loving hands of their faith based program. It definitely takes a village and this is what you will receive at Lakeside Academy. Located countryside of Buffalo in a beautiful lakeside setting with all of the water activities, peace and serenity possible. Horses, dogs and cats are incredible therapy animals for the boys to enjoy as well.
Our Son could not have received any better care and attention than he did at Lakeside Academy. Like I tell everyone, not only do I have my Son back home , successfully graduating from the program after 9 months but he is bigger, better and stronger than I have ever seen him before. All with a restored relationship with God in his life!

I was at lakeside for 1 year and I grew a lot as a man of god. I have been sober since I left. Lakeside isn’t all drug talk. It taught me life skills. A big one that help me was learning how to respond other people’s decisions. Also when your there it’s full of teenage boys. Your going to get made fun of. That was me. I was the youngest person there for most of my stay. But god help me stay true to myself. There are so many opportunities there. I learns how to weld, feed animals, fish. And we did so much stuff. Some of the best memories of my life were at lakside. I went to 2 MN wild games. Ton’s of college hockey, and a VIKINGS GAME. Went on fishing trips up north. SOOOOOO much more. Without lakeside I would be a loser playing video games and smoking weed. But now I’m a star football player for my team. I have sober friends. And im healthy. All possible because of lakside academy.

Although I didn’t graduate I saw so much change in myself while at lakeside. This is a very hard place to be especially when you’re looking at 6 months to a year, but I never would’ve thought I would actually want to stay sober and I never would’ve thought I’d ever have a good relationship with my parents again. I’d recommend Lakeside highly and easily this is the best treatment program for young men. Staff was always quick to respond to problems and legitimately care for students. They do not push religious beliefs although Christian based. Their approach is to meet everyone where they are enter introduce them to new mindset at least while they’re at Lakeside. This includes the type of music you listen to the language you use and how you treat other people pretty basic decent humanity. Well there may be fights, and there may be disruptive behaviors occasionally staff pushed students to really realize why they may feel need to act out and in my case I saw myself and the other guys even ones I least expected change. This is a great center and I would highly recommend this. My only word of advice for any young men going here is you only get what you put into it out of it.

If you are feeling hopeless and scared for your son's future know that this place was the answer to saving our son. Lakeside has a team of loving, selfless, and incredible role models that take care of these boys daily. They walk along side them in their lowest moments and teach them to truly love themselves and others. God is at work at Lakeside and my family and I will forever be grateful for the incredible results for our son. He's happy, confident, and looking forward to a bright future. I will forever hold Lakeside and the people there in my heart. I know this decision is heart breaking and you may be struggling with sending your son away. It's not easy and it's financially a difficult decision to make. Our son has graduated as a respectful young man and with a desire to grow in his faith. This is a decision that you won't make lightly, but know when you do you find an incredible peace knowing the path and future is bright for your son.